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In a manner of speaking, Lakewood was made for getaways, beginning with the founding of a number of country estates in the 19th-century by Tacoma area business leaders.  And although the then-bedroom community has since grown up, some of those estates remain, clustered around the local lakeshores.  One such estate on Gravelly Lake now belongs to a nonprofit group that maintains its long-celebrated gardens for public enjoyment.  The estate’s name is Lakewold Gardens.

This 10-acre estate includes a Georgian style mansion in addition to its carefully maintained plantings (some of which were designed by pioneer landscape designer Thomas Church), pathway, and statuary.  The gardens reflect a blending of traditional European and more modern American design styles as well as the personal tastes and gardening skills of the estate’s longtime owner Eulalie Wagner. 

Lakewold Gardens features more than 500 varieties of rhododendrons, cherry trees and several species of dogwood and climbing roses.  A self-guided tour of the network of paths takes about 90 minutes.  Guided tours also can be arranged.  There is also an on-site garden shop.

Lakewold Gardens, 12317 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W., is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September and Friday through Sunday beginning in October.  Adult admission is $5, seniors $3; children younger than 12 and Lakewold members are admitted free.  For more information, call 253.584.4106.